Chef who touched Michelin stars staying in town?

Jason McLeod lured from Chicago, now at La Valencia

And they're being brought to you by a chef that touched two Michelin stars.

Jason McLeod -- who made the Elysian Hotel's RIA restaurant a culinary luminary when the Michelin Guide opened up to Chicago, one of only three restaurants there to receive stars in 2010 -- has been at La Valencia Hotel since about April 5. (The mystery of why he abruptly left after such an achievement is still in question.) It was originally a three-month consulting gig, according to his Twitter account.

Now word is that could be permanent.

A La Valencia rep says their Sky Room (that intimate, Beluga caviar spot overlooking the Cove) is in flux. And McLeod might be introducing his Box Tree Restaurant in its place.

"I do miss being in the same city as the mighty Chicago Bulls," writes McLeod on his Twitter account, @boxtreerest. He's also been tweeting a staff-search for La Valencia. His Twitter bio says "soon to be restaurant owner" btw.

McLeod has some familiarity with San Diego and its sports teams: He helped open the Grand Del Mar, according to Wine and Dine Deals.